Reclining chair



Dec. 19, 1967 RECLINING CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1967INVENTOR FRANK M. RE

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 19, 1967 F. M. RE 3,359,034

RECLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 9, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

. ATTORNEY.

Dec. 19, 1967 F. M. R 3,359,034

REGLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 9, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. RE

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent Ofitice 3,359,34 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A control and braking means integral with the operatinglinkage of a reclining chair having a two-part legrest interconnectedthrough the operating linkage with a stationary base and a seat andback-rest, the control and braking means permitting coordinated movementof the two-part leg-rest with movement of the seat and backrest.

Background of the invention The present invention relates generally toreclining chairs and particularly to an operating mechanism for areclining chair incorporating a fully-articulated, two-part, fold-awaytype of leg-rest, and inclusive of a seat and back-rest and leg-resteach so mounted relative to a chassis or base and interrelated bycooperant interconnecting means as to achieve smooth reclining movementsof the seat and back-rest and leg-rest relative to the chassis and incoordination with each other.

A primary object hereof is to provide a reclining chair including atwo-part leg-rest interconnected through a linkage mechanism with thecooperant stationary and reclining elements of the chair for movementsbetween retracted and extended positions and intermediate positionstherebetween, simultaneous with coordinated movements of the recliningelements relative to the stationary elements, all coacting and socontrolled as to allow smooth action, particularly in the recliningmotion wherein the objectionable falling sensation, experienced in somany prior art reclining chairs, is obviated.

Another salient object is to provide an improved reclining chairinclusive of a two-part, fold-away leg-rest or leg-supporting unitconstituted by a major leg-rest portion and a minor leg-rest portion,which portions may be moved unitarily between a stored non-operativeposition and a forwardly-extended operative position when thebody-supporting sub-assembly of the chair assumes a tilted relationshipwith respect to the stationary element normally constituting a base orchassis or support, and wherein the body-supporting sub-assemblyincorporates a novel control and braking means wherein smoothcoordinated reclining movements are insured.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of a reclining chair incorporating the structure of theinvention, with the chair shown in the upright or sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the linkage mechanism incorporatedinto the chair shown in FIG. 1, with the mechanism being shown in theintermediate reclining or TV position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the linkage mechanism shown in FIG.2, with the mechanism being shown in fully reclining position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the linkagemechanism of FIG. 3, with certain portions being broken away and withother portions being omitted for the purpose of clarity.

Description of the preferred embodiment In the drawings, I have shown inFIG. 1, a reclining chair comprising a supporting framework 10, a seat12, and a back-rest 14. The 'back-rest will be observed to be securedpivotally relative to the seat.

The seat and back-rest will be understood to form a body-supportingsub-assembly which has a pivotal relationship to supporting framework10.

The linkage mechanism, now to be described, is one of a pair, one beinglocated at each side of the chair between the supporting framework andthe respective adjacent sides of the seat and back-rest.

The linkage mechanism rests upon a brace 16 extendable transverselyrelative to and between the opposite sides of the supporting frameworkand 'being secured to the said sides.

Spacer blocks 17 are fixed to and extend upwardly from brace 16 atopposite ends thereof adjacent the supporting framework 10.

A substantially horizontal-extending base bracket 18 is stationarilyfixed at its forward end to spacer block 17 by a bolt 20 which extendsthrough the base bracket, spacer block and supporting framework 10 andhas a nut 21 threaded thereon.

Base bracket 18 is fixed at its opposite or rearward end to supportingframework 10 by a bolt 22 which extends through the base bracket andsupporting framework and has a nut 23 threaded thereon.

Base bracket 18 extends lengthwise or in a front-rear dimension of thechair and stop 24 sleeved upon bolt 20 extends outwardly from the basebracket adjacent its forward end and serves to limit movement of thelinkage mechanism, as will appear.

A seat bracket 26 is stationarily secured to the lower edge of seat 12as by screws 28 or equivalent.

A boomerang link 22 fixed to a side of back-rest 14 as by screws 34,includes a lowermost forwardly-extending foot portion 32', theforwardly-facing end of which is pivotally connected to seat bracket 26as by a connection 36.

The seat and back-rest are pivotally supported for movement relative tothe supporting framework by means of a primary pivot link 38 which ispivotally connected at 40 at its upper end to boomerang link 32 andthereby to back-rest 14, and is pivotally connected at 42 at its lowerend to base bracket 18 and thereby to supporting framework 10.

Additionally, the seat and back-rest are pivotally supported formovement relative to the supporting framework by means of secondary andtertiary pivot links 44 and 46 respectively, subsequently to bedescribed.

A fully-articulated, two-part, fold-away leg-rest or leg-supportingunit, generally indicated by 50, is positioned at the forward end of thechair and is inclusive of a major leg-rest portion 52 and a minorleg-rest portion 54 pivoted thereto adjacent its lower end.

The leg-rest unit is mounted by means of a control linkage, subsequentlyto be delineated, on the forward end of seat 12 for movements between aretracted position, as

is shown in FIG. 1, and an extended position, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and3, and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween.

In the fully upright or sitting position of the chair, as illustrated inFIG. 1, major leg-rest portion 52 is disposed flush with theforwardly-facing vertical wall of seat 12, which cooperant minorleg-rest portion 54 extends rearwardly from the lower end of said majorlegrest portion in manner as to be hidden from view beneath seat 12.

When major leg-rest portion 52 is elevated and advanced, cooperant minorleg-rest portion 54 is moved to a position forwardly thereof and inaxial alignment therewith.

The leg-rest unit is suspended from seat 12 by a means inclusive oftertiary pivot link 46, including primary actuator link 56, and asecondary actuator link 58.

Tertiary pivot link 46 is pivoted at 60 at its upper end to seat bracket26 and is pivoted at 62 at its opposite lower end to the forward end ofa rise bar 111, to be described.

An impeller link 59 is pivoted at 62 at its rearward end to rise bar 111and is pivoted at 63 at its opposite forward end to the approximatemidsection of primary actuator link 56.

Primary actuator link 56 is pivoted at 57 at its upper end to seatbracket 26 and at 65 at its opposite lower end to the lower end of atertiary actuator link 67.

Secondary actuator link 58 is pivoted at 64 at its upper end to seatbracket 26, at 66 at its approximate midsection to the approximatemidsection of tertiary actuator link 67 and at 68 at its opposite lowerend to the lowermost extremity of a primary lifter link 70.

Said primary lifter link 70 is pivoted at 72 at its opposite forward endto a major leg-rest plate 74 which functions as a support for majorleg-rest portion 52 and is fixed thereto as by screws 76.

Primary lifter link 70 is pivoted at 78, at its approximate midsection,to the approximate midsection of a secondary lifter link 80.

Said secondary lifter link 80 is pivoted at 82 at its upper end to theupper end of tertiary actuator link 67 and is pivoted at 84 at itsopposite lower end to the lower end of a primary control link 90.

Said primary control link 90 is pivoted at 92 at its forward end to aminor leg-rest plate 94 which functions as a support for minor leg-restportion 54 and is fixed thereto as by screws 95.

Major and minor leg-rest plates, 74 and 94 respectively, arearticulately interlinked by a pivotal connection 96.

A secondary control link 100, extending between major leg-rest plate 74and primary control link 90, is pivoted at 102 at one of its ends tosaid major leg-rest plate and is pivoted at 104 at its opposite end tosaid primary control link.

Any unwanted rearward movement of the leg-rest unit is precluded whenthe lower end of primary actuator link 56 abuts the adjacent side edgeof secondary actuator link 58, positive stop action being assured by aunique configuration of said primary actuator link 56 in that its lowerend is provided on its leading side edge with a toe 106, whith theadjacent side edge of secondary actuator link 58 being provided with alongitudinallyextending notch 108. In the chairs upright position, toe106 is receivable in notch 108 wherewith a positive stop action isachieved.

Rise bar 111 interconnects the aforedescribed leg-rest linkage means tothe chair base by means of tertiary pivot link 46 which is pivoted at 62to a forward portion of the rise bar.

Rise bar 111 rotates about a pivot 114 at its rearward portion relativeto base bracket 18.

The lower edge of said rise bar is provided adjacent its forward endwith a recess 116, which recess is adapted to abut stop 24 on basebracket 18 so as to preclude downward movement of the rise bar beyondthe desired limits prescribed by the upright position of the chair.

A friction plate is pivoted at 122 to rise bar 111 and is provided withan arcuate forward edge 124 which terminates adjacent its upperextremity in an offset lip or flange 126. Said lip functions as a stopin the fullyreclined position of the chair upon engagement'in a notch128 provided in the upper edge of rise bar 111, as will be evidentsubsequently.

A portion of rise bar 111 adjacent arcuate edge 124 of friction plate120 is deformed so as to provide an offset friction finger 130, thefriction finger and rise bar being so cooperant as to allow theinsertion of a portion of friction plate 120 therebetween, with oneplanar face of friction plate 120 being flush with the inner planar faceof rise bar 111, and with the other planar face of said friction platebeing flush with the inner planar face of friction finger 130.

A bolt 132 is extendable laterally through friction finger with a wingnut 134 being threadedly engageable therewith and tightened against awasher 136, said washer being of appropriate size to bridge the openingin rise bar 111 created therein by the formation of friction finger 130,and to rest flush against the rise bars outer planar face.

Said wing nut may be tightened against Washer 136 wherefore frictionfinger 130 is drawn inwardly in manner to increase the frictionalengagement between friction plate 120 and rise bar 111, and conversely,by loosening Wing nut 134, the frictional engagement between frictionplate 120 and rise bar 111 may be decreased, an especially desirablefeature wherewith persons of relatively lighter weight may adjust thedevice for easier chair operation, as will appear.

In effect, wing nut 134 and washer 136, in combination with frictionfinger 130, may be delineated as an adjust able braking device wherebythe force or weight required to move both the seat and back-rest to oneof a plurality of reclining positions may be varied, all in accordancewith the desires or requirements of the chair occupant.

A cut-away lowermost portion of friction plate 120 forms a link portion138 which is pivoted at 140 to the lower end of secondary pivot link 44,with the secondary pivot link in turn being pivoted at 142 at its upperend to seat bracket 26.

A limit link is pivoted at 152 at its lower end to base bracket 18 andat 154 at its opposite or upper end to friction plate 120. Limit link150 functions to limit the degree of angularization of thebody-supporting unit in the fully-reclined chair position.

As aforementioned, in FIG. 1 is illustrated the relative positions ofthe components of the linkage, Whenthe chair is in fully uprightposition, and therein it will be observed that leg-rest unit 50 isretracted, with major legrest portion 52 positioned flush with theforward end of seat 12, and with minor leg-rest portion 54 disposedrearwardly thereof beneath seat 12. In such chair position, rise bar111, in a generally-horizontal position, rests on stop 24 with'frictionfinger 130 and bolt 132 being disposed adjacent the lower end of thearcuate edge of friction plate 120.

Now, to reach the intermediate reclining position, as shown in FIG. 2,from this upright position, the chair occupant may bring rearwardpressure to bear upon backrest 14, causing the seat and back-reststructures to move in substantially rearward directions relative tochair brace 16 by the coordinated swinging movements of primary pivotlink 38 and secondary pivot link 44 and tertiary pivot link 46, eachupon its respective pivot points.

By so mounting the seat and back-rest, the body-supporting unit will beobserved to be movable from the upright or sitting position of FIG. 1 tothe positions of FIGS. 2 and 3 and/or to any intermediate positiontherebetween.

In the course of movement from upright position to a reclining positionand with the leg-rest unit extended, the

pivot links 38, 44 and 46, and the actuator links 56 and 58 pivotunisonly in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1) concomitantlywith the movement of seat bracket 26 and seat 12.

As tertiary pivot link 46 rotates, impeller link 59 also rotates to urgeprimary actuator link 56 forwardly and upwardly, which, in turn, urgestertiary actuator link forwardly and upwardly, thereby to cause acorresponding movement of secondary actuator link 58 and primary lifterlink 70, all whereby major leg-rest plate 74 and major leg-rest portion52 are motivated toward a generally-horizontal position.

Similarly, as tertiary actuator link 67 rotates, rotation is imparted tosecondary lifter link 80 whereby control links 90 and 100 are movedforwardly and outwardly to urge minor leg-rest plate 94 to pivot at 96relative to major leg-rest plate 74.

A smoothly swinging motion of minor leg-rest plate 94 is assured bysecondary control link 100 which acts to constrain the forward movementof primary control link 90 and to bring minor leg-rest plate 94 intoaxial alignment with major leg-rest plate 74, all wherewith majorleg-rest portion 52 and minor leg-rest portion 54 are placed in axialalignment as to each other to form a unit when the chair is in asemi-reclining position such as is illustrated in FIG. 2, or in afully-reclining position such as is illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that by the sequence of movements justdescribed, rise bar 111 will not have changed its generally horizontalposition relative to base bracket 18 and will continue to rest on stop24, even though the leg-rest unit is now fully extended so that majorleg-rest plate 74 and minor leg-rest plate 94 are axially-aligned.

It is to be here noted that, had he so desired, the chair occupant mighthave positioned the body-supporting unit at any position of reclinationbetween the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a concomitant partialextension of leg-rest unit 50 with ample leg support being provided bymajor leg-rest portion 52.

To reach the fully-reclining position of FIG. 3 from the semi-recliningposition of FIG. 2, the chair occupant may once again bring additionalrearward pressure to bear upon back-rest 14 by pushing with the handsupon the arms of the chair, or for example if in the upright or TVposition by hooking the heel in the leg-rest unit and pushingrearwardly, whereupon the forward end of the rise bar will be urgedupwardly by tertiary pivot link 46 through pivotal connection 62 tocause the rise bar to swing at its rearward end on its pivot 114.

As back-rest 14 is further angularized, seat 12 and seat bracket 26 areurged forwardly and upwardly by toe portion 32 of boomerang link 32through its pivotal connection 36.

As seat bracket 26 moves forwardly and upwardly, the lower end of linkportion 138 will be pulled upwardly by secondary pivot link 44 throughits pivotal connection 140 whereupon friction plate 120 will pivotrelative to rise bar 111 on its pivot point 122 until flange 126 of thefriction plate will become engaged in notch 128 in the upper edge of therise bar whereupon further rotation of friction plate 120 is precluded.

Limit link 150, extending between friction link 120 and base bracket 18,precludes angularization of the bodysupporting unit beyond the limitsprescribed by the chair fully-reclined position.

Friction finger 130 controls the ease of rotation of friction plate 120upon pivot 122 depending upon the tension set up in the friction fingerby the adjustment of wing nut 134 relative to bolt 132 and washer 136.By this simple adjustment coupled with the rise of the seat, theobjectionable falling sensation, so often experienced in recliningchairs, is precluded.

The occupant may return the chair from this fully reclined position ofFIG. 3 to the semi-reclined position of FIG. 2, with the leg-rest unitremaining extended by exerting a slight downward pressure upon seat 12or by simply bringing the shoulders away from the back of the chair,causing rise bar 111 to move downwardly into contact with stop 24 ofbracket 18 and causing secondary pivot link 44 to exert a downwardpressure upon link portion 138 of friction plate whereupon the frictionplate rotates upon its pivot 122 and the arcuate edge 124 moves upwardlyrelative to friction finger and bolt 132.

Alternatively, the occupant may return directly to the fully-uprightposition of FIG. 1 by exerting a slight downward pressure of the heelsupon the leg-rest unit.

By the novel interconnection between rise bar 111, secondary andtertiary pivot links 44 and 46 respectively, and friction plate 120, thereclining movements of the body-supporting unit are smooth andeffortless and are perfectly controlled and balanced and coordinated.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the inventionherein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains that certain omissions or changes may be madetherein, all Without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A reclining article of furniture having a stationary frame, abody-supporting unit including a back-rest and a seat pivotal relativeto said frame and pivotal each relative to the other, means mountingsaid body-supporting unit for movement relative to said framesuccessively between a sitting position and an intermediate restingposition and a fully reclined position and positions therebetween,

a two-part leg rest formed of a major portion and minor portion hingedlyinterconnected for turning movement relative to each other,

and a control linkage mounting said leg rest on the seat and guidingsaid leg rest between retracted position with the main portion of saidleg rest disposed in a substantially vertical position beneath the seatand with the auxiliary portion of said leg rest disposed in an invertedsubstantially horizontal position beneath the seat and a plurality ofextended positions forwardly of the seat,

said control linkage constituted by a pair of spaced links with one ofthe spaced links of said pair thereof being pivotally connected to themain portion of said leg rest and the other of the spaced links of saidpair thereof being pivotally connected to the auxiliary portion of saidleg rest and a control link pivotally interconnecting between the mainportion of said leg rest and the one of the spaced links of said pairthereof pivotally connected to the auxiliary portion of said leg restfor efiecting a rotative movement of the auxiliary portion of said legrest relative to the main portion of said leg rest,

actuating means connecting between the seat and frame and connected tosaid control linkage for actuating said control linkage to move said legrest responsively to movement of the body supporting member with themain portion of said leg rest being projected between the retractedposition and one of a plurality of extended positions with the auxiliaryportion of said leg rest being turned in coordinated movement relativeto the main portion of said leg rest,

said actuating means comprising a first actuator link pivotallyconnected to the seat and to said one of said spaced links connected tothe main portion of the leg-rest,

a first lifter link pivotally connected to said pair of spaced links,

a second actuator link pivotally connected to said first lifter link,

and to said first actuator link,

a third actuator link pivotally connected to said second actuator linkand to the seat,

a rise bar,

an impeller link pivotally connected to said third actuator link and tosaid rise bar,

means pivotally connecting said rise bar to said seat and to said frame,

a friction plate pivoted to said rise bar and pivotally connected tosaid seat,

a limit link extending between said friction plate and said frame, andadjustable brake means integral with said rise bar in frictional contactwith said friction plate,

said adjustable brake means in combination with said friction plate andsaid limit link adapted to control the ease and range and rate ofreclining movement of said body-supporting unit.

2. In a reclining article of furniture as set forth in .claim 1including stop means on said actuating means,

stop means on said frame,

and stop means on said friction plate limiting the range of movement ofsaid control linkage and said bodysupporting unit.

References Cited UNITED JAMES T. MCCALL,

STATES PATENTS Martin et al 297-85 Schliephacke 29783 Rosmarin 297-85Fletcher 297-87 Primary Examiner.

1. A RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING A STATIONARY FRAME, ABODY-SUPPORTING UNIT INCLUDING A BACK-REST AND A SEAT PIVOTAL RELATIVETO SAID FRAME AND PIVOTAL EACH RELATIVE TO THE OTHER, MEANS MOUNTINGSAID BODY-SUPPRTING UNIT FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID FRASMESUCCESSIVELY BETWEEN A SITTING POSITION AND AN INTERMEDIATE RESTINGPOSITION AND A FULLY RECLINED POSITION AND POSTIONS THEREBETWEEN, ATWO-PART LEG REST FROMED OF A MAJOR PORTION AND MINOR PORTION HINGEDLYINTERCONNECTED FOR TURNING MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AND ACONTROL LINKAGE MOUNTING SAID LEG REST ON THE SEAT AND GUIDING SAID LEGREST BETWEEN RETRACTED POSITION WITH THE MAIN PORTION OF SAID LEG RESTDISPOSED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL POSITION BENEATH THE SEAT AND WITHTHE AUXILLIARY PORTION OF SADI LEG REST DISPOSED IN AN INVERTEDSUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION BENEATH THE SEAT AND A PLURALITY OFEXTENDED POSITIONS FORWARDLY OF THE SEAT, SAID CONTROL LINKAGECONSTITUTED BY A PAIR OF SPACED LINKS WITH ONE OF THE SPACED LINKS OFSAID PAIR THEREOF BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE MAIN PORTION OF SAIDLEG REST AND THE OTHER OF THE SPACED LINKS OF SAID PAIR THEREOF BEINGPIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE AUXIALLY PORTION OF SAID LEG REST AND ACONTROL LINK PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING BETWEEN THE MAIN PORTION OF SAIDLEG REST AND THE ONE OF THE SPACED LINKS OF SAID PAIR THEREROF PIVOTALLYCONNECTED TO THE AUXILIARY PORTION OF SAID LEG REST FOR EFFECTING AROTATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE AUXILIARY PORTION OF SAID LEG REST RELATIVE TOTHE MAIN PORTION OF SAID LEG REST, ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTING BETWEENTHE SEAT AND FRAME AND CONNECTED TO SAID CONTROL LINKAGE FOR ACTUATINGSAID CONTROL LINKAGE TO MOVE SAID LEG REST RESPONSIVELY TO MOVEMENT OFTHE BODY SUPPORTING MEMBER WITH THE MAIN PORTION OF SAID LEG REST BEINGPROJECTED BETWEEN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND ONE OF A PLURALITY OFEXTENDED POSITIONS WITH THE AXILIARY PORTION OF SAID LEG REST BEINGTURNED IN COORDINATED MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE MAIN PORTION OF SAID LEGREST, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST ACTUATOR LINK PIVOTALLYCONNECTED TO THE SEAT AND TO SAID ONE OF SAID SPACED LINKS CONNECTED TOTHE MAIN PORTION OF THE LEG-REST,